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Delta Dental of California Senior Oral Health Priority

Addressing the senior oral health crisis

Improving the oral health and wellness of older adults is a priority for Delta Dental. Learn more about how we’re addressing this critical issue.

Why focus on senior oral health?

Delta Dental’s first  Senior Oral Health Survey Report: “Older Americans' Oral Care Regrets, Barriers and Impact,” revealed that 72% of Americans aged 50 and older wish they had taken better care of their teeth in youth, yet many still aren’t doing so. With oral health linked to heart, brain and mental health, dentists encourage following the “rule of 2-1-2”

As our seniors are facing an oral health crisis due to unique challenges and barriers to access that have significant overall health implications, this report offers valuable insights to help support Delta Dental's commitment to providing older adults with consistent, quality access to oral health care, improving education and driving lasting policy changes to address systemic issues.

What is the Senior Oral Health Program?

This program addresses the senior oral health care crisis through partnerships with community-based coalitions focused on improving access to care. Its multifaceted approach aspires to improve the health of our aging adults, particularly those in marginalized communities.

Our coalition program partners

In collaboration with our first two coalition partners, Howard University College of Dentistry and Mary’s Center, this program will promote the connection between oral health and overall health, provide quality outcomes, improve accessibility and create greater equity in the care and treatment older adults receive. Insights collected throughout the program will be utilized to identify effective solutions and inform the Delta Dental Senior Oral Health Care Model, which will be replicated as the program develops. The program will expand to form coalitions with other community partners.

Howard University College of Dentistry

Howard University is one of the nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The College of Dentistry was founded in 1881 and is the country’s fifth oldest dental school. The College has trained thousands of dental professionals who serve communities around the world. 

Mary's Center

For more than 30 years, Mary’s Center, a Federally Qualified Health Center, has been serving people of all ages, incomes and backgrounds from the Washington, DC metro area.

Goals of the program

Identify, assess and address the socioeconomic and systemic causes of poor oral health among older adults, particularly those living in poverty

Create a replicable model for community-driven oral health solutions

Improve quality of life for seniors by reducing oral care disparities

Other senior oral health partners

UCLA School of Dentistry

The UCLA School of Dentistry MINDFUL Project addresses the public health crisis facing older adults by increasing access to comprehensive oral health care.

Meals on Wheels San Francisco

Meals on Wheels San Francisco works on the front lines to support the critical nutritional needs of low-income seniors with health challenges, including poor oral health, facing limited or no access to food.

Emory University

Utilizing new biomedical technology, Emory University monitors, diagnoses and treats senior adults and expectant mothers who face oral health disparities.

State University of New York at Buffalo

The State University of New York at Buffalo provides care to seniors and individuals living with intellectual or developmental disabilities, educates providers to care for these populations, and promotes prevention and oral health literacy.

Recent news

Get the latest insights on how Delta Dental is addressing senior oral health care.

PBS - Health Channel: Interview with Sarah Chavarria on oral health and older adults

Sarah Chavarria was recently featured on the PBS Health Channel’s Living Minute to discuss the results of our first “Senior Oral Health Report: Older Americans’ Oral Care Regrets, Barriers and Impact.” 

El Tiempo Latino: DC has a pilot plan in favor of your teeth

In the United States, some 76.5 million lack dental insurance and among immigrants, especially the elderly, there is an oral health crisis. Oral health is not a priority of the health system. In an attempt to make up for some of those shortcomings, California-based Delta Dental Community Care Foundation just launched a pilot plan in DC. 

Filling the gap: A Delta Dental Q&A on the senior oral health care crisis in America

To shed more light on the challenges seniors face in maintaining their oral health, read this moderated Q&A session with Mary’s Center Family Physician Dr. Laura Blinkhorn and Delta Dental Chief Dental Officer Dr. Daniel Croley. We discussed how we’ve arrived at this point of crisis, why it’s important for oral health to be maintained as we age and what we can do to help.

Take a deeper look at what we do

Learn more about how the Delta Dental Community Care Foundation helps Gary and many other older adults receive the assistance they need.

Learn about the senior oral health program and the mission of the Delta Dental Community Care Foundation.

Related articles to encourage healthy aging

Here are some tips to help you maintain good oral health.

Maintaining dental health in your golden years

Good oral health habits and a healthy lifestyle can help you keep your gums healthy and your smile bright for a lifetime. These tips will help you keep your mouth healthy and strong into your golden years.
 

Dental risks for seniors

As you age, you're more likely to develop certain oral health issues. Here's how to take charge of the most common dental conditions for seniors.
 

Dental health care for Alzheimer's patients

Dental health problems in Alzheimer’s patients can lead to pain, unmanageable behavior and the need for extensive dental treatment. Follow these tips to help manage your loved one's oral health.
 

Your wellness guide to dentures

From choosing the type to adjusting to the fit, here's what you need to know about dentures.

  1. https://www.urban.org/policy-centers/cross-center-initiatives/program-retirement-policy/projects/data-warehouse/what-future-holds/us-population-aging
  2. https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/publications/OHSR-2019-dental-carries-adults.html
  3. https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/oral_health_disparities/index.htm
  4. https://www.kff.org/medicare/issue-brief/medicare-and-dental-coverage-a-closer-look/